Roundup: UF women snap streak

Men's tennis beats Furman to move to 7-0 on the season.

Published: Sunday, February 3, 2013 at 11:43 p.m.

Last Modified: Sunday, February 3, 2013 at 11:43 p.m.

Freshman Christin Mercer notched her first career double-double as five Gators scored in double-figures and Florida handled Alabama, 87-54, in the O'Connell Center on Sunday afternoon.

The Gators (14-9, 3-6 SEC) shot a season-best 58.3 percent (35-60) from the floor and held a 51-33 rebounding advantage against the Crimson Tide (12-10, 2-7 SEC), who managed to hit just 25.7 percent of their shots, including a 3-of-23 three-point effort.

“I think it was a great win for our program in a lot of different ways,” UF head coach Amanda Butler said. “We had a fantastic crowd, being able to honor our alumni in the fashion that we have all weekend long. Celebrating and trying to raise awareness of breast cancer, research and raising money and being in pink and then obviously getting a very big win, not just winning the ball game, but winning in a convincing fashion.”

Mercer led all scorers with a career-best 18 points on 9-of-12 shooting to accompany her game and career-high 11 rebounds to net her first double-double.

“Christin really showed a lot of growth in our Georgia game and she was just a lot more consistently aggressive and made plays and pursued the ball in a way that makes it not surprising at all that she got 11 rebounds,” Butler said. “We've been challenging her to bring that consistent energy and drive. She's been practicing really, really well.”

Junior guard Jaterra Bonds, a P.K. Yonge alum, chipped in 16 points, while freshman Sydney Moss added 14 points on 6-of-11 shooting with seven rebounds. Juniors Lily Svete and Vicky McIntyre each recorded 12 points as all nine Gators who dressed for the game scored and helped snap a five-game losing streak.

Florida has a mid-week bye and returns to action on Sunday when the Gators travel to Auburn to play the Tigers, with tip-off scheduled for 3 p.m. The game will be televised live on Sun Sports.

Men's tennis: Florida beat Furman, 7-0, on Sunday at Linder Stadium at Ring Tennis Complex. The Gators improved to 5-0 on the season and will hit the road for the first time on Saturday, traveling to Florida State.

Florida started out strong in doubles, as Billy Federhofer and Gordon Watson breezed past Alex Christ and Matt Browne at the top position, 8-1. Mike Alford and Luke Johnson then clinched the doubles point with an 8-4 win over Furman's Richard Casagrande and Jacob Behal. UF's Stephane Piro and Bob van Overbeek led 7-4 against the Paladins' Andrew Mellow and Tyler Droll on court two when play was halted.

“We came out and played pretty well in the doubles,” said head coach Bryan Shelton. “I thought we made some good adjustments today with how we attacked and looked to be really active. Whether we faked and stayed, whether we poached, we were a little more decisive today in the doubles and that kind of set the tone for the day.”

The Gators will travel to Tallahassee to face the Seminoles on Saturday at noon. The next home match for UF is on Feb. 23 against Baylor.

<p>Freshman Christin Mercer notched her first career double-double as five Gators scored in double-figures and Florida handled Alabama, 87-54, in the O'Connell Center on Sunday afternoon.</p><p> The Gators (14-9, 3-6 SEC) shot a season-best 58.3 percent (35-60) from the floor and held a 51-33 rebounding advantage against the Crimson Tide (12-10, 2-7 SEC), who managed to hit just 25.7 percent of their shots, including a 3-of-23 three-point effort.</p><p> “I think it was a great win for our program in a lot of different ways,” UF head coach Amanda Butler said. “We had a fantastic crowd, being able to honor our alumni in the fashion that we have all weekend long. Celebrating and trying to raise awareness of breast cancer, research and raising money and being in pink and then obviously getting a very big win, not just winning the ball game, but winning in a convincing fashion.”</p><hr/>
<center>
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/Gatorsports" target="_blank">
<img src="/assets/images/widgets/GXsports/Teezers/GXFacebookTeaserSmall.jpg"/><br />
</center>
</a>
<hr /><p>Mercer led all scorers with a career-best 18 points on 9-of-12 shooting to accompany her game and career-high 11 rebounds to net her first double-double.</p><p> “Christin really showed a lot of growth in our Georgia game and she was just a lot more consistently aggressive and made plays and pursued the ball in a way that makes it not surprising at all that she got 11 rebounds,” Butler said. “We've been challenging her to bring that consistent energy and drive. She's been practicing really, really well.”</p><p> Junior guard Jaterra Bonds, a P.K. Yonge alum, chipped in 16 points, while freshman Sydney Moss added 14 points on 6-of-11 shooting with seven rebounds. Juniors Lily Svete and Vicky McIntyre each recorded 12 points as all nine Gators who dressed for the game scored and helped snap a five-game losing streak.</p><p>Florida has a mid-week bye and returns to action on Sunday when the Gators travel to Auburn to play the Tigers, with tip-off scheduled for 3 p.m. The game will be televised live on Sun Sports.</p><p><b>Men's tennis:</b> Florida beat Furman, 7-0, on Sunday at Linder Stadium at Ring Tennis Complex. The Gators improved to 5-0 on the season and will hit the road for the first time on Saturday, traveling to Florida State.</p><p> Florida started out strong in doubles, as Billy Federhofer and Gordon Watson breezed past Alex Christ and Matt Browne at the top position, 8-1. Mike Alford and Luke Johnson then clinched the doubles point with an 8-4 win over Furman's Richard Casagrande and Jacob Behal. UF's Stephane Piro and Bob van Overbeek led 7-4 against the Paladins' Andrew Mellow and Tyler Droll on court two when play was halted.</p><p> “We came out and played pretty well in the doubles,” said head coach Bryan Shelton. “I thought we made some good adjustments today with how we attacked and looked to be really active. Whether we faked and stayed, whether we poached, we were a little more decisive today in the doubles and that kind of set the tone for the day.”</p><p>The Gators will travel to Tallahassee to face the Seminoles on Saturday at noon. The next home match for UF is on Feb. 23 against Baylor.</p>